Magnetic earring with slidably pivoted clamp members



Jan. 8, 1963 H. J. FEIBELMAN Filed May 27, 1960 fizz/Qatar,

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United States Patent @fihce 3,071,939 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 071,939 MAGNETIC EARRING WlTH SLIDABLY PIVOTED CLAMP MEMBERS Hans J. Feihelman, Cranston, R.I., assignor to Coro, Inc, of Rhode Island, Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed May 27, 1960, Ser. No. 32,364 1 Claim. (Cl. 63-14) The present invention relates to a magnetic earring construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to an earring that includes magnetic elements that cooperate to effectively retain an earring on the ear lobe of the wearer.

The usual construction of earrings heretofore has required that a clamping element be utilized to eifectively retain the earring on the ear lobe of the wearer. These clamping elements have normally consisted of a screw type of clamp or a clip type of clamping element that co- "acts with an upright arm to which the ornament is secured for effectively retaining the earring on the wearers ear lobe. Many'women object to the clamp type of earring because of the pressure necessary to maintain the earring on the ear lobe, and as a result, these heretofore known types of clamping elements for earrings frequently had to be adjusted in accordance with the requirements of the wearer.

clamp shown in Patent No. 2,809,501 did eifectively adjust the clamping element spring in accordance with the wearers requirements, this type of earring construction necessarily included several additional partstherein, and therefore the cost of manufacture of the earring was In order to avoid utilizing extra parts or elements in the earring construction and to also alleviate the pinch normally associated with clamping types of earrings, the magnetic type of earring has been developed. The magnetic earring normally comprises an ornament assembly which includes any suitable ornament and a magnet element secured thereto. A retaining unit which also includes a magnet element is adapted to cooperate with the ornament assembly, and in use the mag- A nets are positioned on opposite sides of the ear lobe in ,magnetic attraction and thereby retain the ornament :assembly in proper position on the outer surface of the. W68I61"S ear lobe. found favor in the trade since the magnetic elements The magnetic type of earring has utilized have a relatively large engaging surface and therefore relieve the pinch normally associated with the clamp type of earring. However, heretofore, in practice the ornament assembly and retaining unit have, normal- 1y beenunconnected and independent of each other, and

thus, when the ornament assembly was removed from the ear of the wearer, unless it was immediately joined in magnetic attraction to .the retaining unit, the separable ornament assembly and retaining unit could be separated the magnetic earring discussed in the aforesaid copending applications and is designed to eliminate the objectionable pinching heretofore associated with earrings. However, in the present invention the ornament assembly and retaining unit are interconnected so that the magnetic elements associated therewith cannot be mislaid or lost when the earring construction is removed from the wearers ear. The present invention further includes the principle of utilizing a mild steel pole piece in the form of a metallic shell that is placed around one of the magnetic elements, the mild steel pole piece being adapted to direct the magnetic flux into a smaller area at the pole face of the magnetic element it surrounds, thereby increasing the magnetic flux paths between the oppositely positioned magnetic elements. By increasing the working flux, a more direct flux path with less leakage is produced, thereby increasing the force between the magnetic elements and enabling them to be more eifectively clamped on the ear lobe of the wearer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an earring construction that includes magnetic assemblies that are interconnected and that are adapted .to effectively retain the earring construction on the ear lobe of the wearer.

Still another object is to provide magnetic elements that are located in interengaging relation through interconnecting means and are adapted to be placed on on posite sides of a wearers ear lobe for effectively retaining an earring ornament in position thereon.

Still another object is to provide magnets for use in an earring construction that are mounted in interconnected assemblies and wherein at least one of the magnets is positioned in a metallic shell that defines a mild steel pole piece for directing the magnetic flux into a smaller area at the pole face thereof, thereby increasing the force between the magnets when they are mounted on opposite sides of the earlobe of the wearer.

Still another object is to provide interconnecting means for use in a magnetic earring construction wherein the retaining unit of the earring construction is pivotally mounted with respect to the ornament assembly thereof.

Still another object is to provide a retaining unit having a magnet associated therewith for use in a magnetic earring construction, wherein the retaining unit is pivotally and slidably mounted with respect to the ornament assembly of the earring construction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the inventon will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by me for carrying out my invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view with parts shown in section of one form of the earring construction embodied in the present invention and further illustrating in dotted lines the various positions of the retaining unit as it-is pivotally and slidably moved with respect to the ornament assembly;

FIG. '2 is a rear view of the ornament assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 and further showing the retaining unit I lines in shown in section;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a portion of the magnetic earring construction showing a further modified form of the interconnecting structure that joins the ornament assembly and retaining unit; and

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the interconnecting structure illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 3, the magnetic earring construction embodied herein is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. The magnetic earring construction 10 comprises an ornament assembly generally indicated at 12 and a retaining unit generally indicated at 1.4, the ornament assembly 12 including an ornamental member 16 that may be formed in any desired configuration or design, but as illustrated in the drawings, is shown in the form of an enlarged pearl button. The ornament assembly 12 and retaining unit 14 are shown in opposed and spaced relation, and it is understood that the ornament assembly is adapted to be placed on the front surface of the wearers ear, while the retaining unit is adapted to be placed in contact with the rear surface of the wearers ear lobe.

Referring to FIG. 1, the ornament assembly 12 is shown including the ornamental member 16 which is formed of any desired material, such as metal, plastic or the like. The outer surface of the ornamental member 16 is generally convex in configuration, and the rear surface thereof is formed with a recess 18 in which a magnet indicated at 20 is mounted. The magnet 20 is secured within the recess 18 'by an adhesive material or the like, or, if preferred, a retaining element such as a disc may be secured to the rear of the ornamental member 16 so that it overlaps a portion of the magnet 26 to effectively retain the magnet Within the recess 18. Also secured to the rear surface of the ornamental member 16 is a ring 22, the outer diameter of which is somewhat less than the diameter of the rear surface of the ornamental member 16 and the inner diameter of which defines an opening for receiving the magnet 20 therein. The ring 22 is preferably mounted in a convenient recess formed in the rear surface of the ornamental member 16 so that the outer surface of the ring 22 is flush with the rear surface of the ornamental member 16. As shown in FIGS. '1 and 2, the magnet 20 is preferably cylindrical in construction and the outer edge thereof projects slightly beyond the rear surface of the ornamental member 16 and ring 22 for engagement with the front or outer surface of the ear lobe of the wearer.

In order to positively mount the ornament assembly 12 on the outer surface of the Wearers ear lobe, the retaining unit 14 is provided and includes a cylindrically shaped magnet 24. The magnet 24 corresponds in size and shape to the magnet 20, and it is understood that if the magnet 20 were formed in another geometric form, the magnet 24 would be similarly formed. In the normal use of permanent magnets for exerting a mechanical force, the opposite poles of the magnet must be positioned in opposed relation. The magnetic flux that results when the magnets are spaced from each other to define an air gap therebetween is a function of the force existing between two magnetic objects. It has been found that by decreasing the pole area of at least one of the magnets, the flux density between the magnets will be increased, thereby increasing the magnetic force therebetween. The pole area of either of the magnets may be decreased by positioning a mild steel pole piece in contact with the pole surfaces thereof. By utilizing a mild steel pole piece, the magnetic flux is directed into a smaller area at a pole face of the magnet, thereby increasing the flux density between the opposed magnets.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the principle discussed hereinabove is shown as it is applied to the invention embodied herein, the ornament assembly 16 being spaced from the retaining unit 14 as in the position of use and defining an air gap therebetween. In order to decrease the pole area .of the magnet 24 and .thereby increase the magnetic force therebetween and the magnet 20, a steel shell 26 is provided and is dimensioned to snugly receive the magnet 24 therein, a pole face 28 of the magnet 24 being exposed. The edges of the steel shell 26 adjacent the pole face 28 are oppositely charged with respect thereto and cooperate to direct the flux paths of the magnet into a smaller area. The magnetic pole area is thus decreased, which in effect increases the flux density, thereby markedly increasing the force between the magnets 20 and 24. The shell 26 is formed of a mild steel material and may be polished or coated to produce an ornamental finish as desired. It is seen that the increase in force between the magnets 20 and 24 due to the decreasing of the pole area of the magnet 24 results in a stronger retaining action of the magnetic earring construction when it is applied to the earlobe of the wearer.

In the present invention it is desirable to permanently interconnect the retaining unit 14 with the ornament assembly 16 so that when the earring construction 10 is removed from the ear of the wearer the magnets 21 and 24 cannot become lost or mislaid. Since the retaining unit 14 must have some freedom of movement with respect to the ornament assembly 16 in order that the magnet 24 fits flush against the rear surface of the ear lobe of the wearer, an interengaging structure is provided that enables the retaining unit 14 to be slidably and pivotally moved with respect to the ornament assembly 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, this interengaging structure includes a loop 30 that is secured to the ring 22 and projects outwardly therefrom and toward the retaining unit 14. Joined to and depending from the metallic shell or housing 26 by a neck portion 34 is a projecting member 32 that is formed with an enlarged outer end in which a square-shaped opening 33 is formed. Interengaging the loop 30 and the projecting member 32 is an arm 36 that includes an end portion 38 that is bent to define an opening for receiving the ring 30 therethrough, whereby pivotal movement of the arm 36 with respect to the ornament assembly 12 is provided. The other end of the arm 36 projects through the opening 33 in the downwardly projecting member 32 and is formed with oppositely extending cars 40 on the outer end thereof that are adapted to prevent the withdrawal of the arm 36 from engagement with the member 32. Thus it is seen that the member 32 together with the retaining unit may be slidably moved along the length of the arm 36, and, due to the enlargement of the opening 33 with respect to the width of the arm 36, the retaining unit 14 has a certain amount of pivotal movement with respect to the arm 36. It is further seen that since the arm 36 interconnects the retaining unit 14 with the loop 30 and consequently the ornament assembly 12, the retaining unit 14 not only has pivotal movement with respect to the ornament assembly 12, but also has sliding movement with respect thereto.

In use, the ornament assembly 12 is placed on the front side of the wearers ear lobe with the magnet 20 engaging the ear lobe in flush relation therewith. As shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, the retaining unit 14 in the first instance may fall below the ornament assembly 16. Thus when mounting the earring construction on the ear lobe of the wearer, the retaining unit 14 is pivotally moved from the lower position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 to the uppermost position as shown in dotted lines, or to any position that would be necessary to position the magnet 24 in engagement with the rear surface of the ear lobe of the wearer. In this position, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 20 and 24 causes the retaining unit 14 and the ornament assembly 12 to be firmly retained on the wearers ear lobe. It is seen that the ear lobe of the wearer in effect defines an air space between the magnets, and since the pole piece or steel shell 26 surrounds the magnet 24, the flux density between the magnets 20 and 24 is efiectively increased to cause the magnetic earring construction to be firmly retained on the ear lobe of the wearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a modified form of the interconnecting structure for the earring construction is illustrated and as shown includes a connecting element 42 that is adapted to be rigidly secured to the ring 22 of the ornament assembly 16, the connecting element 42 having a central bowed configuration that accommodates the ear lobe of the wearer when the earring construction is placed thereon. The retaining unit 14 also includes the member 32 that has the same shape and construction as illustrated in FIGS. l-3 and is adapted to receive the connecting element 42 therein. As shown in FIG. 5, the outermost or free end of the connecting element 42 is formed with a flanged construction that includes opposed ears 46 that prevent removal of the interconnecting element 42 from engagement with the member 32. Joined to the opposed ears 46 and to the bowed portion of the interconnecting member 42 is a straight portion 44 on which the member 32 is adapted to be moved, and thus it is seen that the retaining unit 14 may be slidably moved with respect to the ornament assembly 16 the length of straight portion 44. Since the hole 33 in the member 32 through which the straight portion 44 of the connecting element extends is somewhat larger than the thickness of the connecting element 42, the retaining unit 14 not only has sliding movement with respect to the ornament assembly 16, but also may be pivotally moved with respect thereto so as to firmly engage the rear surface of the ear lobe of the wearer when the magnetic earring construction is mounted thereon.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further modified form of the interconnecting structure between the ornament assembly 16 and the retaining unit is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 6, a connecting element indicated at 48 is provided and is somewhat similar in configuration to the connecting element 42 shown in FIG. 4. The connecting element 48 is rigidly secured to the ring 22 of the ornament assembly 12 and includes a central curved or bowed configuration that is adapted to accommodate the ear lobe of the wearer when the earring construction is mounted thereon. The outermost or free end of the connecting element 48 is indicated at 50 and is enlarged with respect to the remaining portion thereof, the enlarged portion 50 having an opening formed therein that is adapted to receive a pin as will hereinafter be described. The shell 26 of the retaining unit 14 in the modified form of the invention includes a depending bracket 52 that is secured to the underside thereof and that is formed with spaced ears 54 in which aligned openings are formed. In assembling the connecting element 48 with the bracket 52, the enlarged portion 50 is placed between the ears 54, the openings in the enlarged portion 50 and the ears 54 being aligned and receiving a pin 56 therethrough. It is seen that the retaining unit 14 by this construction is pivotally mounted with respect to the ornament assembly 12 and in use of the device is adapted to be pivotally moved into engagement with the rear surface of the ear lobe of the wearer in order that the magnet 24 and the magnet 20 may be placed in magnetic attraction with respect to each other.

It is seen that the magnetic earring construction embodied herein is relatively simple in construction, and due to the relationship of the magnets associated therewith will positively retain the earring construction on the ear of the wearer. Moreover, due to the interconnecting means that pivotally joins the retaining unit to the ornament assembly, the component parts of the earring construction will always be maintained together as a unitary construction and thereby avoids the possibility of loss of one of the magnetic elements. Even though the wellknown principle of magnetic attraction is utilized herein, a new result is obtained. Furthermore, by providing the mild steel pole piece around the pole area of at least one of the magnetic elements, a concentration of magnetic flux in a smaller area at the pole face of the magnet is attained whereby the flux density or flux paths are increased to produce a greater magnetic force. Because of the concentration of the magnetic flux into a smaller area, the magnetic elements or magnets are firmly retained on the rear of the wearer and cannot be dislodged therefrom even by shaking of the head or other quick movements of the wearer. However, because of the relatively large surface that engages the wearers ear and because of the elimination of a spring tensioned clamping member, a comfortable earring construction is provided that is both pleasing in appearance and unique in the manner of application thereof.

In the description of the ornament assembly 12 in connection with the various forms of the invention, the magnet 20 was described as being formed in a cylindrical construction but without a steel shell or pole piece therearound. It is understood that if necessary or desired this magnet may also include a pole piece for concentrating the magnetic flux into a smaller area at the pole face thereof. Thus, if. a heavy ornament is utilized, it may be necessary to incorporate a steel shell with both the magnetic elements that comprise the magnetic earring construction. However, in the preferred form of the in vention, only one of the magnets will utilize a steel shell or pole piece in connection therewith.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

In an earring construction, a device for mounting the earring construction on the ear or a wearer comprising an ornament assembly including a first magnet, a retaining unit interconnected to said ornament assembly for movement with respect thereto and including a second magnet that is adapted to be attracted to said first magnet, a. metallic housing encasing said second magnet with the exception of an outer face and defining a pole piece for decreasing the exposedpole area of said second magnet, wherein the force between said magnets is increased when they are located in attracting relation, the earring construction thereby being more effectively retained on the ear of the wearer, a loop joined to the rear of said ornament assembly, a member joined to said housing and depending therefrom, said member having an opening formed therein for receiving one end of an arm in sliding relation, the axis of the opening in said loop being perpendicular to the axis of the opening in said member, the other end of said arm having an opening formed therein forloosely interconnecting with the opening in said loop, the end of said arm that is slidably received in the opening in said member being formed with stopmeans thereon that permit sliding movement of said arm in said member but prevent removal therefrom, whereby said retaining unit is pivotally and slidably mounted on said ornament assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 292,810 Hartmann Feb. 5, 1884 463,806 Carpentier Dec. 27, 1913 2,483,031 Avedon Sept. 27, 1949' 2,510,634 Hull June 6, 1950 2,698,917 -Van Urk et a1. Jan. 4, 1955 2,803,953 Zubalik Aug. 27, 1957 

